Photoreduction processes of graphene oxide and related applications

Graphene based electronic materials and devices need efficient production methods, in which graphene oxide (GO) is most frequently used as starting material and is combined with a suitable reduction process. This review discusses recent progress in the photoreduction of GO, which is usually realized by means of photochemical or photothermal reducing procedures. Thin films of photoreduced GO possess good electrical conductivity and can be fabricated with various additives such as polymers, clusters, and nanoparticles. This way, nanocomposites become available with synergistic functionalities for a wide range of applications in electronics such as thin film transistors, microelectrodes and photoelectric devices. Furthermore, sensors and superhydrophobic surfaces can be also fabricated.